Ray Wilkins has been sensationally sacked as manager of Fulham – just days before the Second Division play-off semi-finals.
The ex-England captain, brought in by chief operating officer Kevin Keegan when Mohamed Al-Fayed dispensed with the services of former manager Micky Adams last September, has paid the penalty for failing to guide the Whites to automatic promotion. Keegan will take charge of the side in their play-off semi-final first leg against Grimsby Town at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
A Fulham statement reads:
“Fulham Football Club has decided to terminate team manager Ray Wilkins’ contract with immediate effect. Kevin Keegan will take responsibility for the team and for the forthcoming play-offs against Grimsby. We have no further comment.”
Wilkins spent more than £7m after taking over from Adams, who had guided the Cottagers to promotion from the Third Division on a shoestring budget. The final straw appears to have been Fulham’s final day defeat to champions Watford, which was their third defeat in a row. The 41 year-old former Queens Park Rangers manager admitted to surprise at returning to football management seven months ago – but was talking up his side’s chances of getting to Wembley after narrowly losing to the Hornets last weekend.
Wilkins, 41, was unable to guide the team to automatic promotion to division one, although they have reached the play-offs.
A statement from the club said: “Fulham Football Club has decided to terminate team manager Ray Wilkins’ contract with immediate effect. Kevin Keegan will take responsibility for the team and for the forthcoming play-offs against Grimsby.”
